And the Feet of Jesus, kissed by the unexpected and censored guest
(Lk 7:36-50)
It is Love that path of perfection desired by God to make us grow, and to our benefit - not a formalism sterilised by strict censors.
What unites us seriously in beliefs comes from within, from our Core; it does not depend on the outside.
Love is not planned at a desk or on the basis of models. It expresses the heart with sincerity.
It is not a reality that is subject to distances that deem others to be nosy.
So empathy and loving-kindness do not appear or disappear on command, according to code or season.
They belong to the deep side of being women and men of all times.
It is passion that can lead one's existence in the Spirit in a valuable way, not a ritual landscape.
Love with all our heart is triggered when we need to make the decisive Encounter: that opportunity we feel will open the door to resources, skills, talents, energies, otherwise unexpressed or stifled.
Dissolving her hair in public, the 'sinner woman' almost seems to be a figure of the 'lesser boat' that offers no resistance but only support to the protagonist one (Lk 5.2.7.11).
It is a spurious and second community, compared to the official church of the apostles who are always “close” - and of mixed cultural extraction, unlike the first community which was still Judaizing.
She comes to the You-for-you with a gesture of independence: she needs a more spontaneous and personal relationship with the Lord, the only one who looks at her in a non-superficial way.
Relationship impeded precisely by those who crowd around Him, but do not appreciate the favour received, although they have been partaking of the [Eucharistic] banquet for a long time.
The “safety” of mechanisms and ideas laced with prejudice prevents one from experiencing the Gratis. Here is the link between tears and Forgiveness.
He who pushes away the unpredictable does not unleash any new inner strength. He fears any jolt that might shatter his habitual, plastered world.
Habituals block any emancipation or discovery. They dislike people who need to free themselves from the straits of life.
They are not worshippers of the great Master's Way [cf. the constant reference to his «Feet»].
Total intimate adherence comes before anything we can fulfil or think.
The all-human transport without curtains is that which would not make us overburdened with arrogance and unable to recognise his Gifts.
He who is convinced that he gives something to God, certainly does not love him.
And the choice that concerns us is between negligible details or getting to the heart of the authentic Relationship.
On this floor, the Home master is immediately dizzy.
Simon is frightened by the very idea of the Master attempting to bring him into a new logic: «I suppose...» (v.43).
The Gospel passage is meant to make us reflect on who is most willing to grow and love.
Let us ask ourselves: are they the ones who [like Simon] can set up respectable screens, or the small souls who spontaneously approach their 'source' - devoid of social masks?
In short, Redemption is the fruit of moved personal immediacy, even already achieved without works of law.
[Thursday 24th wk. in O.T. September 19, 2024]
